Lead DevOps Engineer

Tier4 Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Tier4 Group in Chicago, IL seeks a hands-on Lead DevOps Engineer to lead a broad DevSecOps transformation, modernize our software delivery lifecycle, migrate from Azure DevOps to GitHub, and introduce AI-enabled development practices across cloud-native delivery pipelines.

You will design and implement scalable CI/CD, establish IaC standards, mentor engineers, drive security controls (SAST/DAST/SCA), and partner with product, architecture, and security teams to raise SDLC efficiency, resilience,

Qualifications

• Proven DevOps leadership experience with a strategic mindset.
• Strong experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices.
• Experience with Azure DevOps and AWS environments.
• Hands-on experience migrating pipelines or platforms.
• Ability to modernize SDLC and identify AI integration opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead redesign of DevSecOps pipelines (CI/CD).
• Support migration from Azure DevOps to GitHub.
• Improve SDLC scalability and efficiency.
• Identify and implement AI opportunities within the toolchain.
• Mentor engineers and promote DevSecOps best practices.

Skills

CI/CD pipelines

DevSecOps

Azure DevOps

AWS environments

Infrastructure as Code

Terraform

Ansible

Docker

Kubernetes

Python

C++

AI integration

Tools

Checkmarx

SonarQube

Datadog

Job description

Lead DevOps Engineer

Location:Chicago, IL (100% Onsite) |Employment Type:Full Time |Start:ASAP

About Our Client

We are a mission-driven financial services organization dedicated to supporting member institutions with competitively priced funding, strong returns, and community investment initiatives.

Our work helps strengthen communities across both urban and rural areas. Operating in a highly regulated environment, we prioritize innovation, stability, and long-term impact.

Why This Role Matters

We are undergoing a high-impact DevSecOps transformation and are seeking a hands-on Lead DevOps Engineer to help drive it forward.

This role will play a key part in modernizing our software delivery lifecycle, leading a migration from Azure DevOps to GitHub, and introducing AI-enabled development practices. You will help build scalable, secure, cloud-native delivery pipelines while influencing strategy and execution.

What You'll Do

Modernize DevSecOps

• Lead the redesign of fragmented DevOps pipelines
• Drive migration from Azure DevOps to GitHub
• Build scalable, end-to-end CI/CD pipelines
• Develop reusable infrastructure-as-code standards and templates
• Implement Kubernetes-based architectures

Embed Security and AI into the SDLC

• Implement security controls including SAST, DAST, SCA, IaC, and container scanning
• Enable AI-assisted development practices (e.g., Copilot)
• Improve compliance, auditability, and delivery efficiency

Drive Engineering Excellence

• Mentor engineers and promote DevSecOps best practices
• Contribute to building a DevSecOps Center of Excellence
• Partner with development, architecture, and security teams
• Establish metrics to measure DevOps maturity and adoption

First 90-180 Days

• Lead redesign of DevSecOps pipelines
• Support migration from Azure DevOps to GitHub
• Improve SDLC scalability and efficiency
• Identify and implement AI opportunities within the toolchain

What You Bring

Core Requirements

• Proven DevOps leadership experience with a strategic mindset
• Strong experience with CI/CD pipelines and DevSecOps practices
• Experience with Azure DevOps and AWS environments
• Hands-on experience migrating pipelines or platforms
• Ability to modernize SDLC and identify AI integration opportunities

Technical Expertise

• Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, Ansible, Chef
• Containerization: Docker, Kubernetes (EKS/ECS preferred)
• Programming: Python and C++ required; C# preferred
• DevSecOps tools such as Checkmarx, SonarQube
• Application monitoring tools like Datadog
• Databases including SQL, NoSQL, and graph technologies

Differentiators

• Experience redesigning fragmented DevSecOps environments
• Exposure to AI-enabled development toolchains
• Strong architectural vision and systems thinking

What It's Like to Work Here

Our client fosters a collaborative, high-performance environment focused on innovation, learning, and continuous improvement. Employees benefit from mentorship programs, professional development opportunities, and hands-on training.

Our client's in-office model promotes collaboration and team alignment.

Why Join

• Opportunity to lead a large-scale DevSecOps transformation
• Influence both strategy and execution
• Work with modern tools, including AI-enabled development
• Make a measurable impact in a mission-driven organization